Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Parkinson's Disease Support Group

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Sherma
Sherma
I am ashamed to join all you good people because I haven't been diagnosed yet. In 1997 it became evident to me that I was having problems. My right hand would wave not tremor. I learned to recognize it so quickly that no one knew about it. As different symptoms came about, I also learned to compensate and hide them. It now seems that I hid the extent of symptoms even from myself! Life went on with its problems and blessings and yet I would occassionally tell my family that something was seriously wrong with me. This Sep. I discovered how much I do have tremors. Now they agree. But my doctor isn't sure of PD. He first said I was just depressed. I agreed that was nothing new, I told him that I was 'born' depressed! I can cope with the tremors, it is the confusion, forgetfulness, mental incapabilities that I once could do. Am I barking up the wrong tree and I don't have PD? Thank you for letting me get this off, since today I am able to do some things like this that I am not always capable to do.
Jaffy
Sherma
Sherma
Just realized I used my nicname in signing instead of my user name. See I told you, I didn't know what I was doing!
Sherma
deleted_user
deleted_user
An antiviral drug Amantadine...may clear up depression/confusion/anxiety ...fixed mine in 48 hrs. Janis
deleted_user
deleted_user
Your history is similar to mine. I started with mild tremors and other vague symptoms that i told myself would just "go away" but got worse. One day my wife noticed stiffness in my upper torso and a shuffling walk and raised the PD question. I discussed it with my primary care Dr. and he expressed doubt i had PD and attributed it to depression and doubled my Effexor dose. It seemed to work at first but the symptons persisted and I eventually went to a Neuro who immediately diagnosed PD. You'll find as you follow this group that the symptons vary greatly with each individual. My mental confusion stage passed quickly and only rears its head on occasion. My main symptom is a "disconnect" between my brain and and my hands and arms and stiffness in my upper body which I get some relief from with Requip. Hope this helps. This group is your best aid in understanding this affliction Bill
Sherma
Sherma
Thank you Janis. Does it do anything for tremors? My daughter was bit by a mosquito 2 years ago in Oct and has tremors, off balance, depression, inability to drive without another driver with her. She was only 30.
Judy
peachybum
peachybum
Well there is no accurate test for pd. Its just a set of symptoms, different for us all.

Remember tho, and keep this in mind, if you do have pd, its not a death scentence. There is medication that will help you

And im confident a cure is so close!!

So if you have pd, this is the best time to have developed this

Even i know its very horrible and hard to accept. If you do have it you need to accept it, relax, dont stress.

And do positive things, like meditation, excercise, and self love of yourself, share your fears here, if you have no-0ne else

We all understand, and we will support you all the way